Prague where it all changed Past Review
By Jade Baker (University of Hartford) - abroad from 08/27/2018 to 12/22/2018 with
CIEE: Prague - Film Studies
I learned what it meant to be an adult. To be independent. To love your craft and to grow freely.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Nothing compared to the American education system, honestly made me wish I went to college aboard all together. Life changing. I left feeling like I could take on the world! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CIEE itself was a bit disorganzied, but overall they knew how to give us an experience that would stick with us for a lifetime. They showed us what our lives could be like in our near future. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Honeslty, housing was the best part of the experience. Our apartment was beautiful and everyone of our friends/classmates lived right in our bulding or in the area. |
| * Food: |
Depends on your preference. It was hard for my vegan friends/classmates to stay vegan, but for the most part the food was amazing. It was a good mixture of cultures and it wasn't hard to get American name brand food, if you were feeling homesick or craving. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
As a black woman, the hardest part was realizing that many times it felt like I was the only black person that existed there. Weather it be on a tram, a party, in a classroom. Be prepared for stares and ingorance. People there don't get enough exposure and it often felt like I was teaching many of my teachers and strangers what it meant to respect another person who didn't look like them. They just don't understand us and it can be sad and lonely sometimes. However it isn't rare to see black faces but it just won't be as often as being in America. So speak up, listen, help them understand you and you'll be fine. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
To be honest even though we had health insurance, I don't think the program showed enough care for our health. Besides buying us meals on trips and excursions. They really put you in a situation to grow up fast and handle your health and other issues on your own. |
| * Safety: |
Never got pickpocketed, never was physically hurt by anyone. The worst thing I can say is for black people, protect your hair! When some czechs are drunk they like to touch your hair without asking. So you might have to pop a few peoples hands from trying to intrude your space. Or you may only have to simply expalin why it's disrespecttful. For ladies I would say there are creeps every where in the world, so please stay in groups or pairs. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
Because it changed my life. Nothing could ever compare to my precious Prague and the friends I made along the way. I just miss so much about it. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
This was hard because I was personally on a $50-200 monthly budget. I got thru it only because I knew how to grocery shop stratigecally and I knew how to budget everthing else I like to do. Some of my peers where on a differnet budget like $500+ plus a month. So it's all about your dedication to budget. The good thing is everything is cheap, so you just have to be smart with your money. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50+ weekly, depends on the weeks activities and persons needs |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Grocery shop first then spend your money on whatever you want. Always save $10-30 dollars for safety, weather it be for a meal or a ride home. Keep cash and try not to touch your card. Or decide what you'lll pay for with cash vs what you'll always use your cards for. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Even if you don't master it, just try it. The people there will respect your effort. Plus it can go along way to learn the basics like hi, bye, thank you, excuse me. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Beginner |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Download Duolingo, and start practicing from now! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew what it meant to be a filmmaker before I left. Before I left I just wanted to make films for whatever reasons but I didn't understand the work it took and the team you need to be a true and great filmmaker. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
